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FAFSA:

Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to be considered for federal aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. The 2025-2026 FAFSA will be available in December 2024 - UIC’s priority filing deadline is March 15.

FSA ID:

Students and a parent, if applicable, must have a Federal Student Aid ID (login) to sign the electronic FAFSA.

Get your FSA ID online here.

UIC’s School Code: 001776

Include UIC’s school code on the FAFSA - (001776)

Student Dependency Status:

Students are considered dependent or independent based on information provided on the FAFSA. Most undergraduate students are dependent. All graduate and professional students are independent. Dependent students must report parental income information on the FAFSA. Dependency Status is not based on whether a student lives with a parent, is financially self-supportive, or is claimed as dependent on a parent’s taxes.

Student Aid Report (SAR):

After receiving an FAFSA, the Federal Processor will send you an electronic Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR lists all information submitted on the FAFSA and displays your Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI determines your grant eligibility.  Be sure to review the SAR for accuracy and log on to the FAFSA website to make corrections.